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He reminds me so much of my dad and I love being near him. It makes me feel closer to home.
“You ever think about learning to ride again? I know it was tough when you were a kid, but you may have a knack for it now that you’re older,” he says, and I laugh and shake my head.
“I’ll break my neck for sure. Better to just pet them,” I say, scratching Bell’s head as she lets out a long groan.
“Never know if you don’t try. Will I see you at dinner tonight? Claire makes a hell of a roast,” he says, patting his large belly.
“Yes, sir. I think I may take a walk around for a while, get some fresh air and reacquaint myself with the land,” I say, needing to clear my head some more.
“Have at it, darlin’. It’s all yours,” he says.
Yeah, don’t remind me.
I start walking and then stop, turning back to Earl and catching his attention once more before I go.
“Hey, Earl? I just want to thank you for everything. You were my dad’s best friend and this ranch wouldn’t be what it is today without all of your hard work. I appreciate you. I appreciate all of you,” I say, trying to ease some of my guilt.
He smiles warmly at me and nods his head, his eyes glossy.
“It’s never been a problem. You guys are my family,” he says sincerely and I smile and turn on my heel and walk out of the barn.
These people are like family, which is what is making it even harder for me to make a decision. If anything, coming to Cannon Falls has made my head even more jumbled and my heart even heavier. I can’t break these wonderful people, but I can’t run this place either.
I walk away from the pasture and down the driveway, walking the perimeter of the ranch and staring at all its glory along the way. I see the section where the cows are. Most of them have tags and it makes me sad that I know they’re going to be sold and eaten eventually, but that’s the name of the game, I guess. Another thing that I also have no fucking clue about.
I keep walking, for at least a couple of miles, the heat becoming more bearable. My thighs are chafing slightly, so I doubt I’ll be wearing these shorts again.
As I continue my walk down the road along the outside of the ranch, I see something down the road whip across the road and almost get hit by an oncoming car around the corner. I panic and run to it, trying to make sure that whatever it was isn’t harmed. As I approach, I see a small bundle of black, brown and white fur. It’s a puppy. Probably no more than six months old.
I check to see its gender and see that it’s a boy. He’s scared and shaking on the side of the road, but as soon as I crouch down and approach him, his tongue pops out in a happy grin and his tail starts wagging, wiggling his fluffy butt along the way as he runs to me and attacks me with kisses.
“Oh my god! You are so cute! Are you lost?” I check for tags as he hops into my lap, loving the pets and scratches.
I don’t see a collar or anything but as soon as I try to inspect him for wounds, a squirrel runs by and he takes off after it.
“No, wait! Get back here!” I shout after him, taking off in his direction so that I can catch him.
He’s running really fast and I try my best to keep up. I can feel my face flush and my breath stutter, but I don’t slow my pace. I don’t want him to almost get hurt again, or worse, die on these dangerous roads.
He stops at a gate and starts barking furiously as the squirrel jumps over the gate and runs across a large field. I bend down to pick him up, hugging him close as I try to catch my breath. After I do, I bend down and check him for wounds, but thankfully don’t find a single scratch.
“Don’t do that again! You scared me. Come on, let’s go get some food and water,” I say, scratching his head.
Just as I’m about to get up, I feel a presence near me. A powerful, dark presence with a gaze that burns into my heated skin.
“I knew it wouldn’t be long until you came around. You think about that offer, Red?” Hunter’s voice drawls lazily above me and I look up, my hand holding the puppy in place.
“No and I won’t be. I found this guy on the road. Is he yours?” I ask, hating that I like the way he’s eyeing my chest.
My t-shirt is a V-neck and my ample cleavage is now on full display. I pick up the puppy and hold him, standing and straightening myself.
“No. He’s probably a stray. There are a few breeders nearby, and they will let some of the puppies loose if they don’t have enough to feed them or think they won’t sell for much,” he says matter-of-factly, like it isn’t the worse thing to do.
“Are you kidding me? That’s awful. Why would anyone do such a thing? He’s just a baby,” I say, petting the dog.
“It’s just the name of the game, Red,” he says, his eyes roaming down my body, pausing on my thighs before landing on my feet.
“I see you got some shoes now. Wouldn’t have gotten far in those heels from last night,” he says, his voice laced with desire as his dark eyes travel back up to my thighs.
